Il Vestito Antineutrale. Manifesto futurista
Balla, Giacomo
Milan. Direzione del Movimento Futurista. 1914, 11 settembre
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An exceptional copy of Balla's rare manifesto concerning Futurist fashion.
Balla's manifesto Il Vestito Antineutrale - in typical Futurist style - argues for the abolition of a list of fashion crimes or outmoded tastes (including 'tinte neutre', 'tinte e le foggie pedanti, professoriali e teutoniche', 'vesiti da lutto', 'l'equilibrio mediocrista' and 'le linee statiche') that must be replaced with updated ideas - eleven of them - that accord with the Futurist sensibility. To illustrate his point, Balla depicts suits belonging to Marinetti, Cangiullo, Carra, Russolo and Boccioni, although what were clearly brightly coloured suits (Marinetti's suit was in white, red and green cloth) are rendered here in monochrome.
'Noi futuristi vogliamo liberare la nostra razza da ogni neutralità, dall'indecisione paurosa e quietista, dal pessimismo negatore e dall'inerzia nostalgica, romantica e rammollente. Noi vogliamo colrare l'Italia di audacia e di rischio futurista, dare finalmente agl'italiani degli abiti bellicosi e giocondi.' (From Balla's text).
'Balla was the first Futurist to assume the responsibility of an artisian. His manifesto, The Anti-Neutral Suit' (1914), promoted fabrics of 'muscular colours, the brightest violets, reds, turquoises, greens, yellows, oranges, scarlets.' It advocated 'luminous, phosporescent materials which can stir up boldness in a timid assembly, spread light around when it rains, and counterbalance the grayness of the twilight in the streets and on our nerves.' Indeed, Balla's famous necktie housed a tiny electric bulb that the wearer could flick on or off to enliven his conversation.' (Ann Temkin writing in The Futurist Imagination,pg. 36).
Balla's manifesto Il Vestito Antineutrale - in typical Futurist style - argues for the abolition of a list of fashion crimes or outmoded tastes (including 'tinte neutre', 'tinte e le foggie pedanti, professoriali e teutoniche', 'vesiti da lutto', 'l'equilibrio mediocrista' and 'le linee statiche') that must be replaced with updated ideas - eleven of them - that accord with the Futurist sensibility. To illustrate his point, Balla depicts suits belonging to Marinetti, Cangiullo, Carra, Russolo and Boccioni, although what were clearly brightly coloured suits (Marinetti's suit was in white, red and green cloth) are rendered here in monochrome.
'Noi futuristi vogliamo liberare la nostra razza da ogni neutralità, dall'indecisione paurosa e quietista, dal pessimismo negatore e dall'inerzia nostalgica, romantica e rammollente. Noi vogliamo colrare l'Italia di audacia e di rischio futurista, dare finalmente agl'italiani degli abiti bellicosi e giocondi.' (From Balla's text).
'Balla was the first Futurist to assume the responsibility of an artisian. His manifesto, The Anti-Neutral Suit' (1914), promoted fabrics of 'muscular colours, the brightest violets, reds, turquoises, greens, yellows, oranges, scarlets.' It advocated 'luminous, phosporescent materials which can stir up boldness in a timid assembly, spread light around when it rains, and counterbalance the grayness of the twilight in the streets and on our nerves.' Indeed, Balla's famous necktie housed a tiny electric bulb that the wearer could flick on or off to enliven his conversation.' (Ann Temkin writing in The Futurist Imagination,pg. 36).
Single bifolium. Folio. (292 x 232 mm). Printed text recto and verso of each sheet and illustrated with six monochrome illustrations after drawings and designs by Balla. Loose as issued.
#43899
